Foldable shelter tent



May 20, 1947. A. T. MINER 2,420,898

FOLDABLE SHELTER TENT Filed June 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MfmBY k

ATTORNEYS A. T. MINE-R FOLDABLE SHELTER TENT Filed June 8, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented May 20, 1947 FOLDABLE SHELTER TENTAmos T. Miner, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Amos B. Miner, Williamsville,N. Y.

Application June 8, 1945, Serial No. 598,297

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a foldable shelter or tent which is adapted tobe erected on the ground and organized for protection against theweather and insects and adapted to be folded for con venience oftransportation and storage.

It is the object of this invention to provide a shelter or tent for thispurpose which is comparatively simple and low cost in construction,which will provide an effective protection against sunshine, rain, windand insects and which can be easily erected for use and also compactly,folded when required.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a shelter or tent embodying thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the frame elements of this shelter.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 33,Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal longitudinal section taken on line44, Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary vertical transverse sections taken on thecorrespondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic horizontal section of this shelter showing thesame in a partially folded position.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the shelter in its completely foldedposition.

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary vertical sections, taken on lines 99 andIll-4U, Fig. 1, respectively.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicatelike parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In general this shelter or tent comprises two longitudinal side Wallswhich in their erected position produce a structure which issubstantially A-shaped in cross section and are adapted to be movedtoward and from each other, and two transverse end walls which in thenormal erected position of the shelter extend across the opposite endsof the side walls so as to form closures which are adapted to be foldedrelatively to the side walls.

In the preferred construction the side walls of the shelter comprise twopairs of side wall sections the members of each pair being pivot-allyconnected with each other so that they can be moved toward and from eachother, and the adjacent ends of the corresponding sections of both pairsare also pivotally connected with each other so that the two pairs ofside Wall section may be folded and. unfolded lengthwise relative toeach 0 her.

Each of these side Wall sections is rectangular in shape and comprises arectangular frame which is made of wire so as to provide a lowerhorizontal base rod I0, an upper horizontal ridge ro'd H and inner andouter transverse stay rods I2, I 3 connecting the corresponding innerand outer ends of the base and ridge rods. Within the frame of each sidewall section is arranged a panel M which may be made of any sheet-likematerial but is preferably made in the form of a screen consisting of aperforated sheet of plastic material, perforated sheet metal or closelywoven wire or other fabric.

Each of the end walls of the shelter or tent preferably comprises twotriangular sections, each of which includes a horizontal lowertransverse'rod l5 adapted to rest on the ground, an inclined upper rodit connected at its lower end with the outer end of the lower rod I5 andpivotally connected with the adjacent outer inclined rod l3 of therespective side wall section and a vertical inner bar I! which inconnected at its upper and lower ends with the inner ends of the upperand lower rods 16, I1. Within each triangular frame is arranged acorrespondingly shaped panel l8 which is also preferably made in theform of a screen consisting of a sheet of perforated plastic material,sheet metal, closely woven wire or other fabris.

Means are provided for connecting the upper and lower longitudinal edgesof this panel and the transverse edges of the same with the 10ngitudinalbase and ridge rods and the inclined inner and outer stay rods of theframe, which means are preferably constructed as follows:

The numeral l9 represents a lower horizontal connecting tube whichsurrounds the lower frame rod l0 throughout the length thereof andpreferably consists of two semi-cylindrical strips of flexible materialwhich are arranged on opposite sides of this rod and are provided alongtheir inner edges with a pair of longitudinal flanges 20 and provided ontheir outer edges with a pair of longitudinal flanges 2|, each of thesepairs of flanges being connected with each other to form a tube whichcompletely surrounds the lower rod of the respective side wall section.

The panel I4 of each side wall section is attached to the respectivelower connecting tube i9 by loosely arranging the lower longitudinaledge of this panel between the inner flanges 20 of this tube, as shownin Fig. 9, and securing them thereto by any suitable means.

The upper horizontal ridge rods ll, ll of each pair of side wallsections are pivotally connected by means of a hinge which preferablyhas the form of a longitudinal connecting tube 22 which looselysurrounds both of these rods, and which is preferably composed of twosubstantially half round or channel shaped strips of flexible materialwhich are provided at their opposite longitudinal edges with laterallyprojecting pairs of flanges 23, 23, the members of each pair on one sideof this'tube being connected with each other. Each of the panels hi ofthe side wall sections is connected with the respective connecting tube22 by arranging the upper longitudinal edge of this panel between a pairof flanges 23. of this.

connecting tube, as shown in Fig. 5. The connecting tube 22 istransversely elongated in form so as to accommodate both of the upper:ridge rod l i of the respective pair of. side wall sections and operatesnot only to form a hinge which permits these side wall sections to movetrans: versely relative to each other for folding and unfolding the samebut this also formsa closure for the longitudinal joint between theseframe rods.

Means are provided for pivotally connecting the inner inclined stay rodsi 2;. E2. of 'the side wall sections on each side of the structuresothat the same can be folded and unfoldedlengthwise relative to eachother. Each of these pivotal. connections preferably includes aconnecting tube 2'4 which encloses the adjacent rods l2 of these sidewall frames throughout the length of the same and is elongatedtransversely so as to not only embrace both of the respective frame rodsbut also close the longitudinal space or gap between them. Each of theseconnecting tubes. preferably consists of two strips of flexible materialwhich are arranged on opposite sides of. the rods l2, l2 and areprovided at. their corresponding edges with pairs of flanges 2'5, 25,each of. these pairs of flanges receiving between them the inneradjacent edge of one of the side wallsections and secured thereto, asshown in Fig. 4.

Th outer rod l3 of the frame of each side wall section is likewisepivotally connected with the inclined frame rod l6 of. the adjacenttriangular section of the respective endwaIlLof' the shelter by means ofa hinge which is preferably constructed in the form of a transverselyelongated connecting tube 26, which encloses both of the rods l3 and i6throughoutthe'length of the same so as to bridge the joint betweentheseframe rods and permit the respective wall sections to, turn relativelytoeach other. Each of these last' mentioned tubular hinges is preferablymade of two channel. shaped. strips of flexible material which arearranged loosely on opposite sides of the rods I3 and I and whichare-provided on one side with correspondingflanges 27, 2! which receivebetween them the'adjaoent outer edge of the panel M of the respectiveside wall section, while the opposite edges of these hinge strips areprovided with cooperating flanges 28, 28 which receive between them;the'adjacent edge of the panel E8 of the respective triangular end.

wallsectionand are secured'thereto.

At the rear end of the structure thetwmopposing vertical frame rods I!of. the triangular end wall sections are preferably permanentlyconnected by a hinged joint which isso constructed.

that these two triangular. sections. are capable of folding andunfolding freely relatively to each other but the joint between theserods. is closed, this being preferably accomplished bya connecting tube29 which is made of two strips of flexible material arranged on oppositesides of the adjacent rods IT, IT throughout the length thereof andprovided on their opposite longitudinal edges with corresponding pairsof flanges 30, 38 each pair receiving between them the vertical edge ofthe panel 18 of the respective triangular end wall section, and securedthereto.

Each of the vertical inner rods H of the triangular front wall sectionsis preferably connected with the adjacent vertical edge of therespective panel l3 by means which permit the front triangular sectionsto be moved into and out of an operative position independently of eachother for opening and closing the shelter and also to permit of foldingthe shelter as a whole. into compact form. For this purpose a verticalinner frame rod H of each front triangular end wall section i enclosedby a connecting tube 3! which is composed of two longitudinal strips offlexible material extending the full length of this red and provided onone side with corresponding flanges 32, 32 which are received betweenthem and are secured to opposite sides of'the adjacent vertical edge ofthe respective panel I8, and these strips are also provided on oppositesides of this rod with comparatively wide.longitudinalflanges33, 33which are secured to each other andare adapted to overlap each other inthe closed position of the respective front wall sections, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3, and thereby form a closure between the opposing verticaledges of the front end. wall sections throughout the height of thestructure.

Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the inner verticaledgesof the two front wall sections in a closed position when thisisdesired, this bein accomplished, for example, by means of tie straps 34,each of'which is attached at one end to one of the tubes 3|. while.its.opposite end is free and adapted to be united with the tiestrap 34on the other triangular front wall section, to forma bow, asshownin Fig.3.

The. lower horizontal rod I5 of each triangular frame of the end wallsections is connected with the adjacent loweredge of'the respective.panel [8 by a flexible connecting tube 43 surrounding the full length ofthis rod. and provided on its upper" side with a pair of flanges 44which are secured to each other. and. against. opposite sides of thelower edge of thepanel l8 by any suitable means.

The joint at the junction between theupper ends of the vertical andinclined rods of the. end wall sections and the outer ends of the ridgerods of the side wall sections are covered so as to exclude the entranceof insects into the shelter when the same is erectedfor'use, each ofthese closures preferably consisting of a hood 35 of flexible material;such as leather, fabric or the like which extends over the respectiveends of these several frame sections and is connected at its edge withthese sections by means of stitching or otherwise in a comparativelyloose condition so as to permit these wall sections to be folded freelyrelatively v to. each other and still form a closure between therespective corners of the same.

A similar. hood 36 of leather, canvasor other suitable materialisoverthe inneropposing corners of the several'rectangular side-wall sectionsand secured at, its edge thereto by means of stitching or othenwisewith.sufiicient looseness or slack so that these rectangular sidewallsections may be foldedfreely relatively toeach other and still close.the gap between therespectivecor.- ners for excluding insects from thestructure- Each of the connecting tubes whereby the several panels aremounted on the rods of their respective frames and each of the hoodswhich close the joints between the several corners at the ridge of thestructure may be made of any suitable material which is sufficientlyflexible and still strong enough to provide a reliable connectionbetween the parts with which they are associated and also to permitfreedom of action when these several members to which they are attachedare moved relatively to one another and these tubes and hoods maytherefore be made of either leather, canvas or similar woven or fibrousmaterial and secured to their respective rods and panels by means ofstitching, riveting or the like in case the panels are made of wovenwire or textile material or the members of these tubes may be secured tothe parts with which they cooperate either by cement or fusion in casethe panels are made of plastic material.

Means are preferably provided for securing this shelter or tent-likestructure upon the ground so that the same is not liable to be blownaway by wind, which means are preferably constructed as follows:

The flanges 2! on the outer longitudinal side of each of the lowerconnecting tubes [9 of the rectangular side wall sections are madesufficiently wide to form flaps which are adapted to lie on the groundand form a closure between the latter and the lower edes of the sidewall sections. At intervals throughout the length of each of these flapsthe same is provided with openings or eyes 31, each of which is adaptedto receive a spike, nail or pin 38 which is driven into the ground andprovided above this flap with an inwardly projecting hook or head 39adapted to engage over the adjacent part of the adjacent connecting tubeIll and bear downwardly on the horizontal rod l0 therein for holding thesame upon the ground, as shown in Fig. 9.

When the panels of the side wall sections of the structure are made offoraminous material, such as perforated sheets or fabric woven of wireor threads, the structure serves mainly for protection against insects.If, however, additional protection is required from rain or unduesunshine, a canopy 46 of comparatively closely woven raintight fabric orsimilar material is provided, which is stretched over the ridge at theupper ends of the side wall sections and extended downwardly alongopposite inclined outer sides of the structure so as to shed any rainwhich may fall upon the same and also act as an umbrella for modifyingthe effects of sunlight on the occupants of the shelter. This canopypreferably rests loosely on the ridge of the structure and may beunfurled so as to cover as much of the area of the side walls as desiredand is held in its operative position over these side walls by means ofeyes or openings 4| aranged along the opposite lower longitudinal edgesof the canopy and engaged with hooks or heads 42 arranged at the upperends of the spikes and projectin outwardly therefrom, as shown in Figs.1 and 9.

When this shelter is in use the two pairs of side wall sections arespread apart and rest upon the ground and the two end wall sections arearranged in an upright posiiton across the opposite ends of the A-shapedstructure formed by the side walls, as shown in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to fold this structure so as to render the same morecompact for transportation or storage the pairs of triangular end wallsections are folded inwardly relatively to each other and the side wallsections are moved inwardly against opposite sides of the folded endwall sections, as shown in Fig. '7. Thereafter the two groups of wallsections constituting opposite ends of the structure are foldedlengthwise relative to each other into the position shown in Fig. 8,thereby producing a compact arrangement of the several wall sections inwhich the same are all parallel with one another which permits the sameto be not only conveniently transported but also stored in a minimumamount of space.

In order to permit these several wall sections to be thus foldedrelatively to each other the flexible tubular connecting and hingemembers are made suflicicntly loose in a direction crosswise of each ofthese tubes so that sufiicient slack is available in these tubularmembers to permit complete freedom of movement of these wall sectionsrelatively to each other when folding and unfolding the same and insurea relatively tight closure in the joints between the several memberswhich will effectively exclude the entrance of insects from the exteriorto the interior of the structure when the same is in use and alsoshelter the occupants from undue sunshine and weather.

I claimas my invention:

1. A foldab-le shelter tent which is normally A-shaped in cross section,comprising a pair of inclined side wall sections which are adapted torest at their lower edges on the ground and are pivotally connected attheir upper edges, and an end wall which is arranged vertically acrossan end of said side wall sections and which includes a pair of end wallsections pivotally connected with each, other and also pivotallyconnected respectively to the corresponding ends of the side wallsections, each of said side wall sections being of rectangular form andeach of said end wall sections being of triangular form and each of saidsections having a marginal frame and a panel arranged within the frameand connected at its edges to the frame.

2. A foldable shelter tent comprising two pairs of side wall sectionswhich upon being unfolded into anoperative position produce a structureof A-shape in cross section, the lower edges of these sections beingadapted to rest on the ground, the upper edges of the members of eachpair of sections being pivotally interconnected, thereby permittingfolding of the same longitudinally relative to the length of the tent,and the opposing inner transverse edges of the sections of each sidewall being pivotally interconnected, thereby permitting folding of thesame transversely'relative to the length of the tent.

3. A. foldable shelter tent comprising two pairs of side wall sectionswhich upon being unfolded into an operative position produce a structureof A-shape in cross section, the lower edges of these sections beingadapted to rest on the ground, the.

upper edges of the members of each pair of sections being pivotallyinterconnected, thereby permitting folding of the same longitudinallyrelative to the length of the tent, and the opposing inner transverseedges of the sections of each side wall being pivotally interconnected,thereby permitting folding of the same transversely relative to thelength of the tent, and end walls pivotally connected with the outertransverse edges of said side wall sections to permit of folding andunfolding said end walls relative to said side wall sections.

4. A foldable shelter tent which is normally A- shaped in cross section,comprising a pair of inasa 'sos cli'ned'side wall sections whichareadapted to rest at'their lower edges on the ground'and arepivotally'interconnectedat their upper-edges, and an end wall which isarranged vertically across an end'of said side wall sections and whichincludes a pair of end wall sections pivotally connected with each otherand also pivotally connected respectively to the corresponding ends ofthe side wall'sections; each of said wall sections including a frameandapanel within saidframe, and each pivotal. connection including atube which surrounds-the adjacent frame members of adjacent wall.sections. 7

'5. A ioldable shelter tent which is normally A- shapedin cross section,comprising a, pair of inclined side wall sections which are adapted torest at theirlower edges on the ground and are pivotally interconnectedat their upper edges, and an end wall which is arranged verticallyacross'an end of said side Wallsections and which includes a pair of endwall sections pivotally con nected' with each other and also pivotallyconnected respectively to'the corresponding ends of the side. wallsections; each of said wall sections including a frame and a panelwithinthe frame, each of said pivotal connections including a flexible tubewhich surrounds the adjacent frame members of adjacent wall sections,and sai pain elshaving their edges secured to'saidtubes.

6". A foldable shelter tent which is normally A-shapedincross section,comprising a pair of inclined side wall sections which are adapted-torestat their lower edges on the ground and are pivotally interconnectedat their upper edges, an end wall which is arrangedvertically across anend ofsaidside'wall'sections and which includes a pair of? end wallsections pivotally connected witheach other and also pivotally connectedrespectively to the corresponding ends of the side wall sections, and aflexible hood covering the 8 adjacentzcorners of the side wall-sectionsand the end wall sections and connected with said sections;

7. A foldalole shelter tent which is normally A-shaped in crosssection,comprising a pair of inclined side wall sections which are adapted'torest at their lower edges on the ground and which are pivotallyinterconnected'at' their upper edges, an endwall which is arrangedvertically across an end of'said side wall sections, and-a flexible hoodcovering the adjacent upper corners of a pair of side wall sections andconnected at its edge to said sidewall sections.

8; A foldable shelter tent which is normally A-shaped in cross section,comprising a pair of inclined side wall sections which are adapted torest? at theinlower edges on the ground and are pivotally interconnectedat their upper edges; an end wall which is arranged vertically across anend of said side wall sections, horizontalfiaps arranged on the lowerlongitudinal edges ofisaid side wall sections and adapted to lie on theground and provided with eyes, a canopy extending over said side wallsections andprovided at its lower edges with eyes, and fastening pegspassing into the ground and severally provided with pairs'of hook shapedheads engaging with associatedeyes at the bottom of said canopy'and.side wall sections.

AMOS T. MINER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 755,369 Hunter Mar. 22, 190 i872,404 Burch Dec; 3, 1907'- l,642,640 Doddridge Sept. 2, I927

